in the same ballpark

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the same ballpark" is a correctly used idiom in written English.
This expression means that a quantity, opinion, etc. is approximately the same as another, but not necessarily exact. For example, "I think the new restaurant is about in the same ballpark as the old one in terms of quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Motorola's recent Droid Razr M packs a 4.3 inch screen — putting in the same ballpark as the iPhone, albeit still a smidge bigger.

TechCrunch

"We obviously don't operate in the same ballpark as them".

The New York Times

This is in the same ballpark as my own estimates.

The New York Times

"We do not seem to be in the same ballpark".

The New York Times

Biotech is not even in the same ballpark".

The New York Times

"The brands are not in the same ballpark as Bestfoods".

The New York Times

"I think we're in the same ballpark," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The bids should all be in the same ballpark.

The New York Times

If you account for age, it looks like we're in the same ballpark".

Independent

The net price is often in the same ballpark as an in-state public college.

The New York Times

"We're operating in the same ballpark," said Ms. Bruno at Vanguard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the same ballpark" when you want to indicate that two figures, estimates, or ideas are close enough to be considered similar, without implying exact equality.

Common error

Avoid using "in the same ballpark" when you mean to convey precise equivalence. This phrase implies approximation, not exactness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the same ballpark" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating that something is approximately equal or similar to something else. Ludwig's examples show its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the same ballpark" is a very common idiom used to indicate that two or more things are approximately equal or similar. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal writing. Be mindful not to use it when you need to express precise equivalence. Consider alternatives like "in the same range" or "approximately equal to" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the same range

Focuses on numerical or quantitative similarity.

in the vicinity of

Suggests a location-based or figurative closeness.

approximately equal to

Emphasizes a near-equal status, more formal.

roughly equivalent to

Highlights functional or practical similarity.

of the same order of magnitude

Implies a similar scale or size, often in scientific contexts.

in a similar vein

Refers to comparable style or approach.

comparable to

Highlights a resemblance or likeness.

on par with

Indicates equal footing or status.

along the lines of

Suggests a general direction or plan.

not far off from

Emphasizes the proximity of two values or ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "in the same ballpark" in a sentence?

You can use "in the same ballpark" to indicate that two quantities or ideas are approximately similar. For example, "The estimated cost is "in the same ballpark" as last year's budget".

What can I say instead of "in the same ballpark"?

You can use alternatives like "in the same range", "approximately equal to", or "roughly equivalent to" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "in the same ballpark" in formal writing?

While "in the same ballpark" is widely understood, it's generally more suited for neutral or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "approximately equal to" or "of the same order of magnitude".

What's the difference between "in the same ballpark" and "identical"?

"In the same ballpark" indicates that something are close but not necessarily equal, whereas "identical" means they are exactly the same. For example, "The two estimates are "in the same ballpark"" suggests they are similar, while "The two estimates are identical" means they are exactly the same.